Highlights of the Puget Sound

This brand new 5-day/4-night cruise features the best of the Puget Sound with the convenience of a round-trip from the vibrant city of Seattle. During your cruise, enjoy a carefully curated package of shore excursions where you can experience area highlights such as a Deception Pass Jet Boat Tour, Whale Watching in Friday Harbor, and an exclusive salmon tasting at the SeaBear Smokehouse in Anacortes. As you journey along the smooth waters, witness abundant wildlife including whales, eagles, and seals from the comfort of your fully furnished private balcony.

Ask about our Current Savings and our celebrated Seattle Pre-Cruise Package which includes a premium hotel stay, city tour, and transportation to the ship. See the Schedules & Rates tab for Current Savings.

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Cruise Itinerary

Highlights of the Puget Sound

On this 5-day round-trip cruise from Seattle, explore charming seaside towns, witness some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the world, and learn about the area’s rich history and culture. Along the way, enjoy our award-winning onshore and onboard enrichment programs featuring the area’s best historians, naturalists, entertainers, and local expert guides.

Ports of Call

Pre-Cruise Package Available

Seattle, WA

Anacortes, WA

Friday Harbor, WA

Port Townsend, WA

Seattle, WA

Day by Day

Pre-CruisePre-Cruise Package Available

Our custom Seattle Pre-Cruise Package provides you with a seamless way to experience the city and easily board the ship. Arrive the day before your cruise and American Cruise Lines will handle the rest. The package includes a premium 4-star hotel stay in downtown Seattle, a complete city tour on the morning of your cruise, and transportation to the ship. Please call (800) 460-4518 for additional details and availability.

Pre-Cruise Tour of Seattle

The Pre-Cruise Tour of Seattle brings you to all the city’s highlights, including downtown and the famous Pike Place Market. For convenience, the tour meets in the hotel lobby after breakfast and concludes at the ship for the perfect start to your cruise. All luggage will be brought directly from the hotel and placed in your stateroom aboard the ship.

Day
1Seattle, WA

Arrive early in Seattle and spend the day exploring local attractions like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. In the afternoon your cruise on Puget Sound begins as we set out across the clear blue water.

Day
2Anacortes, WA

Anacortes is home to Deception Pass, one of the most photographed places in the Northwest. See the Pass from the water, or explore on easy walking trails along the shoreline. There will plenty of time to visit the town, just a few steps from our dock.

Anacortes Experience - Complimentary Excursion

Located between Seattle and Vancouver, on beautiful Fidalgo Island, Anacortes is known as the gateway to San Juan. Anacortes is a thriving seaside town with a past that mirrors the fascinating boom and bust history and entrepreneurial spirit of the area. Join our local guide for a walking tour of the town to get a true feel for the islands of the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Admire the extensive, colorful murals depicting the history of the city. You will also take in the town center and the W.T. Preston stern wheeler.

Skagit Country Museum & SeaBear Salmon Tasting

Visit nearby La Conner, WA and learn more about this charming town as you explore the downtown area and visit the local Skagit County Historical Museum. Upon your return to Anacortes, a stop will be made at SeaBear Smokehouse for an exclusive tasting and tour. Since its founding in 1957, SeaBear Smokehouse has been smoking salmon in the centuries-old traditions of the Pacific Northwest. During your visit, sample lots of varieties of smoked salmon including San Juan Sliders and Smoked Salmon Chowder.

Deception Pass Jet Boat Tour

Get an unobstructed view of Deception Pass aboard the Island Whaler, an aluminum catamaran, while exploring the sights and sounds of this historic region. Hear the tales of characters who navigated these waters and visit local attractions including the Old Prison Rock Quarry, Deception Island, and a bald eagle’s nest.

Day
3Friday Harbor, WA

Friday Harbor is a beautiful, walkable seaport with small shops and turn of-the-century buildings. Experience island life as it was over a century ago by visiting the San Juan Historical Museum or the Whale Museum. At the Whale Museum you can learn about Spirit, the orca whale American Cruise Lines adopted during our first season on Puget Sound.

The Whale Museum

Join a docent at the Whale Museum for a guided tour. In the Gallery of Whales, you will learn about the natural history of marine mammals, with a special focus on the orcas of J, K and L pods living in the waters of the San Juan Islands. Discover a mesmerizing collection of exhibits, artwork, models, and artifacts, including actual whale skeletons and a family tree of the resident orcas. You can also listen to the "songs” of various species of whales in the Whale Phone Booth, and watch an informative video on Pacific Northwest orcas.

Signature Whale Watching Tour

Witness these majestic mammals in their natural habitat on this whale-watching tour and discover why the San Juan Islands is considered the best place to view orca whales. This is a Signature Shore Tour. Please call (800) 460-4518 for more information.

San Juan Island Adventure

Tour the beautiful and unique San Juan Island. Explore Roche Harbor, a historical resort that was the site of an active lime kiln industry for several decades. View the original hotel, company store, and kilns, as well as the beautiful garden. Enjoy a visit to an alpaca farm, followed by a stop at Lime Kiln State Park where you can walk down to an active lighthouse and take in the scenic views across Haro Strait to Vancouver Island and Victoria.

Day
4Port Townsend, WA

Port Townsend is a charming town with a fascinating past. Beautifully restored Victorian architecture is now home to small museums, galleries, and shops. In the evening, members of the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra will be aboard for a night of dramatic classical music.

Historic Port Townsend Exploration

Our local guide dressed in Victorian-era attire will greet you at the ship for a one-of-a-kind welcome to Port Townsend. This lively guide will take you through the historic downtown area telling tales about the many colorful characters that helped build the city. Learn about the city's interesting architecture, the waterfront district’s unique past, and how this tiny town came to be called the “New York of the West.”

Fort Worden State Park Tour

Your guide will greet you on board to take you to the National Historic Landmark site of Fort Worden State Park. Here you will discover the history of the “Triangle of Fire,” a trio of forts built to protect Puget Sound at the turn of the last century. Fort Worden occupies the northwestern side of the triangle and sits atop a scenic bluff on the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula. Highlights include Point Wilson Lighthouse, built to help friendly warships navigate home, and the Parade Grounds, where military drills and training were once held. Before returning to the ship, your guide will take you to the ramparts atop the fort where massive gun emplacements look out onto fantastic views of the Puget Sound.

Day
5Seattle, WA

Welcome back to Seattle. Relax on the sundeck as the famous skyline of the city draws nearer. Once we arrive, make the most of you time in Seattle with a tour, or allow American Cruise Lines to assist with transportation arrangements home.

Seattle City Tour

Let American Cruise Lines be your guide to the lively and diverse streets of the Emerald City. Tour the heart of the downtown area with a friendly guide who will point out the city’s biggest attractions. An excursion highlight is the Pike Place Market, the oldest continually operated farmer’s market in the United States. Peruse the market and sample some of Seattle’s freshest produce, all with a stunning view of the picturesque Elliot Bay.

Museum of Flight

Enjoy a guided tour of the Museum of Flight, led by a docent who will lead the group through the evolution of aviation, describing in detail the onsite world-class aircraft collection. View the Aerocar III, the famous Blackbird SR-71, and the only remaining Boeing 80A around to this day. The museum also has a large collection of WWI and WW2 planes, as well as a Concorde and a former Air Force One used by Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon, both of which you can walk through.

Experiences

This 5-day journey encapsulates everything wonderful about the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands. From the beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife to the rich history along its shores, you will experience the very best the region has to offer.

The Pacific Northwest is known for its fresh seafood and delicious fare. Our team of master chefs takes great pride in offering you a customized menu, featuring the finest locally sourced cuisine in the region.

American Cruise Lines carefully selects onboard experts and performers to join us on each of our cruises. These enlighteners, historians, and entertainers bring the local region to life.

American Spirit

The modern American Spirit is for the traveler who pursues the exceptional. Uniquely designed to navigate the inland waterways of Alaska, the American Spirit brings passengers to some of the most beautiful locations in America. In the intimate atmosphere onboard, guests find that fellow travelers share their passion for these historic places, and often become fast friends. It's easy to relax and feel comfortable in the spacious and relaxing rooms.

Owner's Suite (Private Balcony)

Experience complete comfort in this spacious private sanctuary where you can feel right at home. At 350 sq. ft. the Owner’s Suite is quite roomy and features a full-size bathroom. Enjoy a large sitting area, a writing desk, closet, and a private balcony offering expansive views from a stunning vantage point.

AAC (Private Balcony)

These 283 sq. ft. staterooms are located on the top deck which provides privacy and great panoramic views. The living space is comparable to that of a fine hotel room and offers a writing desk, a closet, a full-size bathroom, and a private balcony.

AAL (Private Balcony)

AAL staterooms are a spacious retreat with all the amenities a modern traveler expects. Each room offers 263 sq. ft. of space encompassing a full-size bathroom, a private balcony, and a large opening picture window.

AA

AA Category staterooms are the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploration. Each 258 sq. ft. room has a large opening picture window with views of the passing scenery. The room also offers a full-size bathroom and plenty of closet space.

A

A category rooms are a quiet enclave for total relaxation. They come equipped with a full assortment of modern amenities and large opening picture windows. Each room is 258 sq. ft. and ideal for cruising the inland waterways of the Northwest.

Single (Private Balcony)

The intimate atmosphere of each Single stateroom is ideal for the solo traveler. At 248 sq. ft. each room has a twin bed, a full-size bathroom, a private balcony, and plenty of room to spread out and make yourself at home.

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About

We provide guests an extraordinary river cruising experience while exploring the historic waterways of the United States. Cruise in comfort aboard our modern fleet of river boats and paddlewheelers. Enjoy luxurious accommodations, exceptional cuisine, and personalized service on every cruise.